The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-09-30
A Soldiers Letter.

General John c. Black. Commissioner
OF Pensions, who was invited TO attend
the reunion at Evansville, Ind, of SOL
diers who wore the blue and the gray,
replied TO the invitation in a letter, from
which the following is taken:
Il would like 10 see in this first out
post of war that reunion in the forms of
the blue and gray, which in fact has
steadily progressed through all the years
since the war, which has grown with
the seasons and widened with the years.
Fraternity, gentleman, is not created
by resolution loyalty IS not born by
act of congress charity can not be spo-
ken into existence but loyalty, frater-
nifty and charity are the outgrowths of
a common cause and government, of
mutual interests and of mutual regard
for the rights each of the other, and all
for all-all measured and summed up
by the word patriotism. " The patriot
ism of the American soldier is not alone
a matter OF birthplace but, in addition
TO the sacred ties of the cradle, there
comes the devotion which is laIc upon
the son OF a country when he believes
aud is taught in the household circle,
in the school, in the forum, from the
pulpit. by The press, by the great course
Of events, that the destiny of his country
is worthy of its grandeur, and can EOt
be fulfilled save by its united power.
Then is born in him that strange
feeling which takes the unknown man
from the quiet of the ireside, the seclu-
sion and peace of an undisturbed locali-
", and puts him without hope of reward, =,
without the stimulus of ambition, in
the front ranks of fighting men, unnam-
ed. forgotten atom in the vast ranks OF
armies, prepared to endure pr:vations.
Imprisonment, fatigue, suffering-yes,
death itself. This patriotism would
brook no denial, stood daunted at no
danger, appalled, at no disaster, which
was bottomed upon no spirit of greed OF
conquest or hate-this patriotism fam
ing with the ioftiest purposes of the hu-
man soul, oyercame all opposition, con-
QueTed all resistance, and in the end
received the submission OF men who,
with equal fervOr and bravery. had op-
| posed the national restoration OF the
| Union and the establishment of the legi-
/ innate results of its great war.
1T will never be satisfied with less
/ it will tolerate no baking OF Its high
/ purposes-it will never consent that one
/ single subStan tialal and essential fruit
/ of national victory should be fOregone
/ but on the other hand it receives back
/ into the Federal fOld--back to the far
! enterprise of Orethern-back to all the
| peaceful pursuits of life-eveIy return
! ing citizen and brother who wore the
\ gray. 1t opens up TO its deafeated foe
man all the avenues OF wealth, pros
| peTIty, power honor, emolument and
| regard. Over the graves o. war IL
grows tie mass of forgiveness. 1t turns
( its back Iesolutely upon everything
which ID politics, in social life or in
any of the varied affaiTs of existence
would arouse a single dormant passion
/ of war
Il wish for your re union the greatest
success. / hope thai under the old flag
| every man who wore the gray will fee
that the light of lis stars is benignant-
| Its protection ample-its service honOra
bic beyond compare. l know that ir
! It's support there would be ore common
| assembly from gulf to lake and from
borer TO border, and IN the event of the
! sad necessity of war. the only emulation
! would be as To who from The South ol
| North would stand front In the grea'
Tanks that should support it. And q:
| the time shall pass and new generation:
take place OF the old, may there be NJ
| bitter or estTanging recOllechOus of the
| great civil war. From the bloody mist:
and clouds of the fOur and a half YEAR
| of fratTicidal struggle there has emerged
the adamantine and indestructiblef fabric
| now ASSURED, of the union, the vindica
ted law, the established right and TIT
secure citizeu."